Royal Artillery locomotive returns to service, immediately awaits orders
A Royal Artillery locomotive has been rededicated at Salisbury, bringing military ceremony to the railway and giving Britain its first truly convincing explanation for a train standing still with enormous confidence.
Royal Artilleryman received the honour after a major overhaul. The engine accepted the occasion without saluting, largely because engineers had forgotten to install an arm and passengers had already begun looking at the departure board with tactical concern.
Regiment representatives travelled from Warminster for the ceremony. An honour guard met them at Salisbury, where the Dean of Salisbury Cathedral blessed the locomotive and, by extension, the bold notion that something connected to the railway might leave when expected.
Advance only when signal permits
“This engine carries history, dignity and the 10.42 to Southampton,” said Major Miles Bufferstop, Inspector of Tactical Refreshment Trolleys. “It will advance at the appropriate signal, after first deciding whether the platform has sufficiently appreciated it.”
Guests then took a special route through Southampton and Eastleigh. The timetable called it a celebration. Regular passengers recognised the remarkable spectacle of a train journey arranged for enjoyment rather than personal growth.
Royal Artilleryman has returned after restoration work, which means it now possesses gleaming paint, formal blessing and exactly the sort of confidence normally seen in a junior officer entering a room with a map.
Railways and artillery share a devotion to timing, signals and people shouting at heavy equipment from a respectful distance. The partnership has therefore been declared a natural fit, provided neither side asks the other to explain a replacement bus service.
The locomotive finished its ceremonial route at Salisbury. Command praised its discipline. It later occupied platform three until another crew persuaded it that standing to attention does not count as going anywhere.
Read the real story: Network Rail report on the locomotive rededication
